The Hindu Business Line : Ford to export Fiesta to South Africa

The Fiesta that is exported would essentially be the same as that in the market here except that it is modified to meet the traffic requirements in South Africa.

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Chennai, Sept. 13 Ford India will start exporting the Fiesta to South Africa, according to Mr Arvind Mathew, Managing Director and President, Ford India Pvt Ltd.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday he said that when the exports start later this year it would be the first time Ford exports cars as CBU (completely built up) units from the Chennai plant. The company hopes to export over 5,000 units in the next 12 months. The Fiesta, named Ikon in South Africa, would be available in three variants – 1.4L and 1.6L petrol and the 1.4L diesel.

Ford now exports over 25,000 Ikon CKDs (completely knocked down) to South Africa and Mexico. In South Africa the Ikon is known as the Bantam, which is a pick up with an Ikon front-end, Mr Mathew said.

The Fiesta was launched in 2005 in India and is its biggest-selling model here with sales crossing 50,000 units as of July.

Modified

The Fiesta that is exported would essentially be the same as that in the market here except that it is modified to meet the traffic requirements in South Africa. These include H-rated tyres because traffic speeds of up to 140 km an hour is common, airbags, trailer tow capability and a diesel engine calibrated for high altitude and cold temperatures.

The export of CBUs from Chennai is a mark of the quality and market acceptance of Ford India’s products and operations, Mr Mathew said.

Domestic sales

On domestic sales, he said that the company is strengthening its marketing network in India. It would increase the number of dealerships to 135 from the 120 outlets now.

Ford India’s facility at Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai has a capacity to manufacture over 100,000 units a year. It is now making over 65,000 units and has capacity to spare. The Ford range includes the Ikon, Fusion, Fiesta and the Endeavour.

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